e-connect 28 November

Date published: 2024-11-28


Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Alex Peters, who runs the Bath Sausage Company (pictured) at Bath Christmas Market.
 
e-connect 28 November 2024

A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

Last night saw the annual residents’ preview of Bath Christmas Market and I had the real pleasure of meeting stall holders, including Alex Peters, who runs the Bath Sausage Company (pictured) setting up ready for what I am sure will be an extremely busy 18 days ahead.

Our Christmas Market team has been working hard under challenging weather conditions to bring more than 230 traders and community groups together to create our world-renowned event which attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy our wonderful city at Christmas.

This year the market has made the top twelve Best European Christmas Markets by travel destination website European Best Destinations. This is in addition to being named as being among eight of the UK’s best Christmas markets by Which? magazine, whose readers also voted Bath their favourite medium sized city.

The city is thriving and the increased footfall which the market brings, including overnight stays, benefits our many shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and hotels. However more people in the city does put pressure on our highways network so we are advising visitors to use our excellent park and ride services, which will be running more frequently during the market period, or use other forms of public transport.

Some residents may notice a reduction in the overhead Christmas lighting in Bath. We have worked with Bath Business Improvement District and town councils to keep the lights sparkling in most locations, but like many councils we have had to make incredibly large savings, to compensate for the increased demand in Social Care. However, we will continue to work with local businesses to enhance festive lighting next year. Scotland has given local authorities the powers to introduce a tourist tax and Wales is considering the same. I will be personally lobbying government with key partners to ensure we have the power to do this, which unfortunately due to central government legislation English councils currently do not have.

On Monday we saw the start of the UN16 Days of Activism to end Violence Against Women and Girls. The council is committed to tackling this issue and play its part in building a safe and supportive community for everyone. We have joined with the police and other local organisations to create safer spaces across Bath and North East Somerset and it was good to see so many people turn out for the twilight city walk, organised by the council, to launch the awareness campaign locally.

We are seeing an increase in scam WhatsApp and online message for winter fuel payments and are warning people not to get caught out. It is despicable that people are targeting those who need this support. Please remember if you are B&NES resident and in financial crisis or have received a letter from us please use our official website to apply for support.

At the start of this message I referred to the challenging weather conditions our market teams faced over the weekend thanks to Storm Bert. While we were more fortunate than other parts of the country, the floods nevertheless had an impact in our area. Our highways and trees teams worked around the clock dealing with more than 70 flood and storm related incidents – thank you to all those who were involved in keeping our communities safe.

Have a good weekend.

 

Community Awards

Do you know a volunteer, carer, employee or charity who makes an exceptional contribution to your community? Nominations are now open for the Community Awards 2024 which recognise people who make life better for others Find out how to make a nomination: https://newsroom.bathnes.gov.uk/news/nominations-open-2024-community-awards.

News

 

Work set to start on Phase One of the Bath River Line project

Work on a scheme to create a 10km linear park alongside the River Avon in Bath that will improve the towpath, parks, open spaces and public realm is set to start early next year.

 

Christmas and New Year rubbish and recycling collections

Residents in Bath and North East Somerset are being reminded of temporary alterations to recycling and rubbish collection dates over the Christmas and New Year period.

 

Join the discussion on proposed Queen Square public realm improvements

New pathways and landscaping, better space for public events and easier access to Charlotte Street car park are among proposals to improve Queen Square in Bath.

 

Charities benefit from more than £11,000 donations from Haycombe Crematorium metals recycling

Charities Bath Gateway Out and About and Parkinson’s UK have each received £5,800 as a result of metals recycled from Haycombe Crematorium.

 

Consultation on active travel routes across Bath extended

People have an extra week to share their views on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s proposals for four walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the city.

 

The Triangle

The latest edition of the BSW newsletter - The Triangle is available to read on their website, alongside all previous releases.

 

Have your say

Council meetings


Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings.

Follow us online


You can follow us on NextdoorXFacebook and 
Instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube and read the latest releases on our Newsroom. Visit our website.
View and take part in our consultations
 

Support

Cost of living crisis


Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there. There is a dedicated Cost of Living Crisis section on Live Well B&NES, including:

You can also get help from your supplier through the Priority Services Register. This is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Check the website to see if you’re eligible to register.

Energy at Home

Our Energy at Home website provides information about the latest funding and support available to help B&NES residents save money on their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their home.

For people struggling to afford broadband or phone services, there are social tariffs available. Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has a webpage with more information about social tariffs including eligibility requirements and how to apply Social tariffs - Connecting Devon and Somerset
 

Library services

Our Libraries offer a range of services, including the Library at Home service where we can bring the library to you and sensory spaces for children and young adults with sensory needs. You can also find out about events happening in our libraries.

 

Employment support and skills

 

Achieve


Achieve in B&NES provides a job and course search service for anybody wishing to enter the workplace or progress their career. There are free and funded courses from local providers.

 

Health, wellbeing and support

 

Live Well B&NES


Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents.

Community Wellbeing Hub


The Community Wellbeing Hub opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or text 07870 868368 or visit the website.

Bath Mind


Bath Mind is an independent mental health charity whose services operate across Bath and North East Somerset. Explore Bath Mind’s services by visiting their website. Alternatively, call Freephone 0808 175 1369 any day of the week between 9am and 11pm for mental health support.

Age UK


Age UK Bath & North East Somerset run specialised Dementia Groups in the district. These groups are a safe, fun environment for people to come for activities and friendship. Find out more here or call 01225 466135. You can also find out about digital support for people aged 55 and over. Email digital@ageukbanes.co.uk or visit bit.ly/AgeUKBANESDigital

Sight loss support


Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. To find out more, or make an appointment please call  0117 3224885 or email. For more information on the full range of services, visit the website. For more useful information visit the RNIB website.

Domestic abuse


Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here.

Community Transport


Community transport schemes provide safe and accessible transport for people unable to use public transport. To find further details on community transport schemes visit livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/community-transport.

Public health

To keep up to date with the latest public health news stories across Bath and North East Somerset, including upcoming events, consultations  and other information, subscribe to the public health monthly newsletter. You can also browse previous editions of the public health newsletter.
 

Do you look after someone else?


If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, support is available from Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre. Freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email 9am-1pm, every weekday.

 

It’s not too late to get your winter vaccines. Vaccination continues to help protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths arising from Covid-19 and Flu.

More information about Covid walk-in clinics and Super Saturday children's clinics visit this webpage https://bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth/seasonal-covid-19/.

For information about eligibility and how to get these vaccines visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well. You can book on the NHS National Booking System or by telephoning NHS 119.

 
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Date published: 2024-11-28


Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Alex Peters, who runs the Bath Sausage Company (pictured) at Bath Christmas Market.

Date published: 2024-11-28


Date published: 2024-11-28